The Dunning-Kruger Effect meme is based on a cognitive bias identified by psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger, illustrating how people with low ability at a task overestimate their competence. In internet culture, it is represented by a bell-shaped curve featuring 'Mount Stupid,' where confidence is highest despite minimal knowledge. Users often use this template to poke fun at people who argue passionately about topics they barely understand, or to self-deprecatingly track their own realization of how little they actually know about a subject. It became a staple for academic, political, and tech humor due to its relatable portrayal of the learning curve.